Fluid flow control mechanism



`Mmh 21, 1944.

D. E. SPERRY ETAL FLUID FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July 145. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l m f ATTORNEY INVENTOKS WM ..Zowr

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March 21, 1944. E SPERRY ETAL 2,344,747

' FLUID FLow CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July l5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORwiY l /Ilnzt Ih Nvu. Il s x ...Ewwwwwmhgmh m tm A. l l l m.

March 2l, 1944- -D. E. sPERRY ET Ax. FLUID FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 15. 1940 Patented Mar.l21, 1944 UNITED As'ni'las Purrlaivr 4ori-m15; i

' FLUID FLW CONTROL MECHANISM Donald E. Sperry, Whittier, and Adam E.. Landess, Long Beach, Calif., assignors of onefourth to Boland R. Crum and one-fourth to James K. Burkhart, both of Whittier, Calif.

Application July 15, 1940, serial No. 345,452

s claims. (ci. 251-59) 'I'his invention relates to apparatus for controlling the iiow of iluids, such as oil or gas, or asphalt, and more particularly to apparatus that utilizes a movable gate between fluid passageways. Y

Control devices of this general character have been proposed and used in thel past. They may take the form of a gate valve, operated as by levers or a lead screw, to be optionally positloned-so as [to 'interrupt the flowof fluid between inlet and outlet passageways, or to permit passage of fluid.` past the gate. Many liquids, such as water or crude oil usually carry in suspension foreign matter that may seriously inter- I fere with the proper setting of the valve. rThis `foreign matter is also usually of an abrasive n character, having destructive effectsrupon the' contactingfsurfaces of the valve. p

It is one of the objects of this invention to obviatesuch occurrences, and particularly by i the aid oi a simplified and improved valve structure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a valve structure thatmay be easily renewed or repaired.

It is still another object of this invention'to provide a fluid control mechanism the principle of which may be very readily utilized not only y for a valve, but also for such purposes as a'ow ber or gateV to open or closed position and to ensure that the member will be maintained properly in any of its positions, while yet ensuring'that it'can bemoved as desired'without excessive frictional opposition.

It is still another object of` the'invention to make it possible, without dismantling the appa-'- ratus. to substitute or replace the control mem- 4berorga'te so as to vary the aperture or orifice of discharge.

' This invention possesses many other advan-v tages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of,

several embodimentsl of the invention. 'For this purpose there are vShown a few forms in the drawings accompanying andy forming part ofthe present speclilcation. These forms will now be described m detau, inustraung the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 isa view, mainly in longitudinal section, of a device incorporating the invention, the device being shown in closed position;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken along correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 1, Fig. 2 illustrating the device in open position;

Fig. 4 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2 of a modiiied form of the invention; l

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, of a further modied form of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a pictorial view, partly broken away,-

of a control member utilized in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in Figs; 9 and 10';

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 2, oi' `a still l further modiiied form 'of the apparatus;

. Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along plane I3-I3 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a pictorial view of a liner 'that mayv be utilized in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. f

Figs.'l 1, 2 'and 3 illustrate the invention as applied'to a gate valve for the control of. liquids or gases. It may be effectively utilized inthe oil industry,l as for example the ,control of viscous or plastic material, such as crude oil, mud iluid or the like; of gasoline or other petroleum products;

There is showna valve :body `l whichmay conveniently be made'as a casting. This valve body I is provided with passageways 2 and 3 which. Ymay form inlet and outlet openings. For con'- venience in inserting the valve -bodyin a linevof pipe, opposed exterior bosses I and 5 may be provided on the -body i, into which may be;

threaded the pipes 8 vand 1.

As shown most clearly m Figs. 2 'and 3. the l valve body defines a narrow space 8. From opposite walls of this space extend the raised bosses 3 and III. These bosses provide opposed converging flat surfaces II and I2. The space 8 within the body forms a clear chamber around these opposed converging surfaces. The passageways 2 and 3 open. in these surfaces. Accordingly the device when utilized as a gate valve can be placed in either open or closed position by the aid of a control member seated'upon these converging surfaces II and I2. Such a control member I3 may be placed between the converging surfaces II and I2, and may be provided with corresponding surfaces I4 and I5. The control member I3 is provided with a through port I6 adapted 'to be placed in matching registry with the openings of passageways 2 and 3 in the surfaces II and I2. In the open position of Fig. 2, the openings and the port vI6 are shown in alinement, providing a smooth uninterrupted passageway through the valve body I and -between the conduits 6 and 1.

The positioning of the control member I3 in either open or closed position is effected by providing a.' mechanism -for moving the control members transversely to the openings in the surfaces II and I2, as well as mechanism .for moving it in a direction to urge the control member I3 to the seating and sealing position-illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, a force exerted upon the member I3 toward the left will cause it to .be wedged between the surfaces I I and I2 and to seat firmly thereupon. This seating and sealing force can be applied when the control member I3 is in the open position of Fig. 2, as

' well as when it is in the closed position of Fig'. 1.

hand edge of la pair of guiding vanes 23 shown as cast integrally with the wall of body I.

Movement of the control member I3 to aline the valve apertures or to place them out of alinement, is permitted whenever the stem I3 is retracted toward the right so as to free the control member I3 from the converging surfaces II and I2. 'Ihis transverse movement may be obtained in any desired manner. For example, a lead screw 26 may be used. This. lead screw is Y shown as engaging corresponding threads formed in an aperture 21 within the control member i3. In order to permit the slight seating and vunseating vmovement of the control member I3, the threads of lead screw 26 have considerable clearance in the threads of the aperture 21. The lead.

screw 26 is shown as having a reduced portion 26 serving as a bearing within a strap 23 forming a part of the structure. The upper end of the lead screw 26 carries the operating hand wheel 33. This hand wheel may -be held in place asby flanges; and screws 33 serve to tighten the flanges The mechanism for moving the control member A in the direction transverse to the openings will be described hereinafter.

The means for urging the member I3 to its seating and sealing. position may be effected in any of a number of ways. Thus for example the right hand edge of member I3 may be provided with a generally circular longitudinal groove I1. Within this groove is accommodated the spherical end I3 of an operating stem I3.' available for operation exterior of body I. 'I'his stem ISI is shown as having a threaded portion 23 (Fig. 1) accommodated in corresponding threads cut in the wall of body I. A packing gland structure may be provided around operating stem I3 -for maintaining the body I sealed around the stem I3. For. this purpose an exterior boss 2| is provided through which the stem I3 extends. Packing washers 22 are shown disposed around the stem I3 and are held -in sealing relation by the aid of the packing gland 23. This gland 23 may be threaded within the boss 2 I.

For facilitating manipulation rof the stem I3 it may be provided with a non-circular or fiattened end 23'. This may accommodate a wrench by the aid of which the stem I3 may be turned to advance it or retract it with relation to the threads in the wall of body I. Due to the fact that the circular groove I1 extends along thel entire edge ofthe control member I3. the operating stem I3 may be effectively utilized to urge this control member toward the left into sealingv relation irrespective of the particular position of the-control member I3 in a direction -transverse to passagewavs 2 and 3.

To assist in guiding the control member I3 in against each other. A pair Vof these screws may also be utilized. as illustrated in Fig. 1. for hold-Y ving the strap 23 in position.

A packing gland structure is provided through cap 33 for maintaining a seal around the screw 26, where the stem of screw'26 passes through the cap. For this purpose there are provided the sealing washers 33 and the packing gland Il threaded in the boss ,4 I

The lower end of the body I is similarly sealed by the cap 42. The caps 33 and 42 may be provided with inwardlyy directed stop members I3 serving as limits for the vertical movement of the control member I3.

The operation of the device as thus far de'- scribed may be summarized. Assuming that the device is'in the closed position of Fig. 1, the valve structure may be moved to open position by the following steps. The operating stem I3 is caused to move to the right, to release the sealing force operating to seat the member I3 on the surfaces II and I2. Thereafter the hand wheel 33 may be operated to lift the control member I3 to the position of liig.V 2. Thereafter, the stem I3 may again be operated to apply a seating force upon the control member I3. In the open position, the

"port I3 matches` the openings in the surfaces II and I2 to form a continuous smooth passageway for. the now of liquid. i

The operation of the seating mechanism in-v cluding the stem ,I3 is ,independent of the operation of the lead screw '26. When the control bosses l3 and I3, the left hand edge of the member I3 may be provided with a guiding groove v2l, (Figs. I 1 land 3). Within this groove extends the right 75 control member I3.l Since itis only during valve' member I3 is seated by operation of the stem I3. in either the closed or open position, the space 3 within the body I is completely shut oir from the passageways 2 and 3. Accordingly there is no substantial accumulation of mud 0r other foreign matter within the valve body. I that may interfere with the free movement of the control member I3, once it is unseated. It is only in the un'- seated position that there may occur a slight'accumulation' of liquid within the body, past the operation that this can occur. the extent of accumulation is not material. Furthermore, the passage of the liquid when member I3 is unseated, is transverse to the surfaces I l and I2, and assists in flushing and cleaning these surfaces. Whatever accumulation of liquid may occur inthe valve body I may be occasionally drained through a cock 44 threaded into the lower cap 42. y

'I'he control member I3 may have a tendency to "freeze in its seat. This may be due to the character of the liquid controlled by the device, such as heavy asphalt or other viscous material, or it may occur for other reasons. In that event,

.a mere retraction of the stem I9 to release the seating force upon the control member I3 is ineifective to free this control member I3 from its seat. In order to ensure that the member I3 may be positively freed, even if stem I9, for example, may be inoperative, a supplemental mechanism is provided. In this instance this mechanism takes the form of another operating stem 45 passing through the left hand wall of the body I. This operating stem is similar to operating stem I9. Its inner end 34 is adapted to contact the left hand edge of the control member I3 and urge it toward the right-to unseat it. 0r-

dinarily, this stem 45 is moved entirely out of contact with the control member I3. The operating stem 45 may thus serve to crack the valve open, should occasion require.

When the valve is placed in either open or closed position and the control memberI I3 is seated by operation of the stem I9, the caps 33 and 42 may be removed without disturbing the controlling function of the valve. The lead screw 26 may also be removed by threading it out of the control member I3. Thus the entire interior of the valve body I is laid Open to inspection to detect any leaks or the like, and for cleaning or servicingv in general.

4In the form just described, the apparatus is shown as utilized as a gate valve. It may bel utilized, however, in other ways. One of these ways is illustrated in Fig. 4. In this form it serves to provide a control for the rate of now of liquid, such as oil, between the conduits 6 and 1. The control member 46 in this instance, instead of being provided with a port I6. is shown as provided with a flow bean" 41. This flow bean 41 may be appropriately threaded into'the control member 46.

If it is desired to change the rate of flow by changing the flow bean opening, it is a simple matter to remove and replace the flow bean 41. For this purpose the apparatus may be placed in the closed position of Fig. 4, with the control member 46 seated and sealed upon the bosses 9 and Il. T'hen a plug 49 provided in the wall of body I may be removed to obtain access to the flow bean 41. The flowbean may be provided with appropriate sockets for the accommodation of a socket wrench 'to-lmscrew it from the control member 46 through the aperture formed by the removal of the plug 43. A new flow bean may be tightened in place and the plug 46 reinserted. 'Ihen by operating the control member 46 to open position, the flow bean 41 serves to provide a control oriice of the desired size.

It may at 'times be desirable to provide the control member or gate with a plurality of openlngs of different which may be optionally placed in alinement with thev passageways 2 and 3. In the form of the invention illustrated `in Figs. 5 and 6, this may be readily'efl'ected;

furthermore. the sizes of these orilces or ports may be altered without taking the valve 'out of operation. For this purpose the control member.

is shown'as having an upper portion 49 and a lower portion 50. At the contacting edges a dovetail Joint may be provided, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The two portions may be held firmly 'together as by the aid of the bolts 5I passing through the lower portion 50 and threaded into the upper portion 49. Both the upper and lower portions 49 and 50 may be provided with ports 52 and 53 respectively of different sizes if desired. It is a simple matter to replace either of the'portions 49 or 50 while the other portion is in active relation with the passageways 2 and 3. This may be done by removal of the caps 54 and 55 (corresponding to the caps 33 and 42 of the form shown in Fig. l). When this is done the bolts 5I may be removed and either one or the other o'f the parts 49 or 50 may be replaced while the other part is in active relation with the passageways 2 and 3.

A slightly diierentform of mechanism for moving the control member 49, 50 in a direction transverse to the passageways 2 and 3 is illustrated. In this case,vthe upper portion 49 of the control member is provided with an ear- 55 having a slot 51 therein. This slot is shown as engaged by a cross pin 58 accommodated in a clevis 59. This clevis 59 is joined to a stem 6l passing through the gland structure 6I and the cap 54. The upper end of the stem 60 is provided with a clevis 62 through which the pin 63 passes. This pin 63 also passes through the hand lever 64 accommodated between the ears of the clevis 62. The handle 65 of the hand lever may be raised or depressed for moving the stem 60 in a vertical direction. For this purpose, the left hand end of the lever 64 is shown as pivoted to the link B6. The lower end of this link B6 is pivotedson a pivot pin 61 having a stationary This pivot pin may be supported in an eye 68 fastened to the top of flange 69 of the cap 54.

The operating stem for seating the control member may include in this case a cylindrical head 1I) (Fig. 6) which may be accommodated in a groove 1I having overhanging flanges T2. As in the form illustrated in Fig. l, the axis of the operating stem I9 is normal to the axis of 'the passageways 2 and 3. These two axes fall in a common plane normal to the axis of the operating screw 26 or stem 60. In this way it is assured that theV force urging the control member to its seat will operate most effectively neighboring thepassageways in the body I.

The apparatus may be utilized for optionally sealing against the passage of liquid in a conduit such as an oil pipe line. as by a slip blank." In such instances it is important to determine whether there is any leak whatever past the closure. In the present instance this `can be eiectively accomplished since the caps such as 33"and 42 of Fig. 1 may be omitted. Such a form of device is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Here the control member 13 may be operated in the same manner as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. In this case, however, the caps 33 and 42 are omitted, exposing the contacting edges of the control member 13. Instead of the cap'33, a strap 14 maybe utilized by the aid of which the 66' may be supported. In lieu of the cap 42, a straight strap 15 may be provided, to pre1 vide a limit for the downward-movement of the slip blank member 13.

In some instances it may be advisable to provide a control member utilizing a non-metallic facing or lining such as rubber or the like, that may be relatively fluent and which may seat more securely upon the surfaces II and I2. Such a form of control member is illustrated in Figs. 9, and 11. In this instance the body of the control member is formed by a relatively narrow flat plate 18, with opposite parallel plane surfaces. One of its edges is formed with a T head 11 transverse to the member 'I8 and forming a longitudinal slot 18. In this slot the head 18 of the operating stem 88 may extend. The other edge' of the control member may be extended to be guided within the longitudinal groove 8| formed in the wall of the body I. v

The operating surfaces of the control member are formed by the sloping surfaces 82 and 83 of the rubber layers 84 and 85. These rubber layers or liners form a laminated structure with -the central portion 18. A plurality of rivets or other fastening means 88 may pass through the layers 84, 'I8 and 85. For connection to the operating stem 80, the portion 18 may be provided with the slotted ear 81.

The rubber layers 84 and 85 are particularly resistant against abrasive particles that may be carried by the liquid being controlled. They are readily replaceable if worn out.

Instead of providing a rubber or other nonmetallic material for the control member, it is possible in addition to provide such a. layer or liner for the stationary seat surfaces. This form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. l2, 13 and 14.

In this vform of the invention the control mem csi-nrcan'` In this form of the invention, replacement after undue wear of the liner 83 is a relatively simple matter. 'I'he caps 33 and 84 may be removed, after which. the liner 83 may be passed downwardly or upwardly out of the body 80, and a new liner substituted.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a

body, said body having fluid passageways, a nonmetallic liner supported in the body and forming opposed converging fiat lsurfaces with openings communicating with the passageways, a control member having surfaces adapted to seat upon said converging surfaces, the control member having a port opening therethrough, adapted to cooperate with and match said passageway openings to establish communication through said passageways, means for moving said control member in a direction transverse to the openings to position the port in or out of matching relationship with the passageway openings, and means for Imoving the control member to seat and seal the corresponding surfaces of the liner and the member.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a body, said body having fluid passageways, rubber liners supported in the body and forming opposed converging iiat surfaces with openings communicating with the passageways, a control member between said converging surfaces, and having surfaces adapted to seat upon said converging surfaces, as well as a port adapted to cooperate with said openings to establish communication between the passageways, means for moving said control ber I3 is identical in construction with the control member illustrated in Fig. l. As in the form of Fig. l, a hand wheel 38 is utilized for moving the control member in a direction transverse to the passageways 88 and 88 formed in opposite walls of the body 88. y

In this instance, however; the body 80 is provided with' plane, parallel surfaces 8l and 82, in which thepassageways 88 and 88open. Inserted within the hollow body 88 is a non-metallic or rubber liner 83. This non-metallic liner extends from the cap 33 downward to the lower closure cap 84 and is held firmly within the body 88 bythe aid of these two caps. As shown most clearly in Fig. 14, the liner 83 in general is in the form of a -rectangular sleeve" having a vertical central aperture therein extending almost to the bottom of the sleeve. The liner is further provided with openings such as 85 and 88 adapted to be alined with and matching the openings of the passageways 88 and 88. The central aperture is defined by the converging surfaces 8T! and 88 formed to correspond to the surfaces of the control member I3. It is between these surfaces that the control member I3 is movable, in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. l. The' liner'83 is preferably formed as by molding in integral fashion. If desired, reinforcing bars or wires of metal such as 88 and |88 may be utilized.v The wires 88 may be in the form of loops extending annularly within the lever; and wires |88. may be generally arranged longitudinally of the lever, and permanently connected.to loops 88, as by welding or the like. In order to permit the passage of the vhead I8 of the operating stern I8 to the control member I3, the liner 83 may be provided with an aperture .81.

member in a direction transverse to the openings for positioning the port in or out of cooperative relation with the passagewayaand independent means for moving the control mem-ber to cause the corresponding surfaces of the control member and the liners to seat and seal.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a body, said bod,- having'iiuid passageways, a nonmetallic liner within said body, said liner having a pair of opposed converging lia surfaces and openings communicating with the passageways, a control member between said converging surfaces, said control n.ember having surfaces adapted to cooperate with said converging surfaces, means for moving said control member in a direction transverse to the openings, and means for moving the control member to seat and seal the corresponding surfaces of the liner and the control member.

4. In apparatus of the character described. a bodyA having a pair of opposite converging flat surfaces, said body providing a clear space around the edges of the converging flat surfaces, a control member between said converging flat surfaces and having fiat surfaces adapted to cooperate with and seat uppn said converging surfaces, means supported by aid of the body for moving said control member in a rectilinear direction transverse to the openings, and for maintainingA said contr'ol member in any position to which it is moved in its rectilinear path, and a movable device supported by -aid 'of the body for positively urging the control member in a rectilinear direction to urge the control member positively toward and from said converging surfaces to seat and seal, as well as to unseat and unseal, there being achannel recess forming the operative connection between said movable device andthe control member, said connection being capable of operation irrespective of the relative transverse position oi the control member, and the operating portion of said movable device having limited freedom of movement transverse to the control member".

5. In apparatus of the character described, a body having a pair of opposite converging iiat surfaces, there being passageways opening in the surfaces, said body providing a clear space around the edges of the converging fiat surfaces, a control member between said converging at surfaces and having flat surfaces adapted to cooperate with and seat. upon said converging surfaces, means supported by aid of the body for moving said control member in a rectilinear direction transverse to the openings, and for maintaining said control member in any position to which it is moved in its rectilinear path, a movable device supported by aid of the body for positively urging the control member in a rectilinear direction to urge the control member positively toward and from said converging surfaces to seat and seal, and a supplemental unseating means supported by said body and .adapted to engage an'edge of the control member to move said member to unseating position.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a valve body having a pair of opposite converging surfaces, there being passageways opening in the surfaces, a control mem-berbetween said converging surfaces and having surfaces adapted ,to ccoperate with and seat upon said conve ging surfaces, said control member being for ed of a pair of readily separable parts, each having surfaces capable of cooperating with said body surfaces to control the passageways in said body surfaces, while the other part is inactive and available for removal and replacement, means for moving said control member transversely of the passageways so as optionally to render each partac 

